-rAlthough many automatic equipment arrangements have been incorporated in telephone systems to reduce the number of functions performed by operators, operator assistance, nonetheless, is still lrequired for certain services. In semi-automatic systems, such las call dise tributor systems, private branch exchanges, and the like, operators are still required to assist in the completion of calls. Frequently, these operators, during the completion of calls, are also required 'to supply general information, advertising messages and other routine announcement services that are tiring tasks for them, decrease their traflc handling capacity, tie up switching equipment and otherwise decrease the overall efficiency of the system. These conditions are prevalent, lfor example, in large department stores and theaters. The major portion of the incoming calls to these establishments are served by operators and represent requests for information con# cerning prices, schedules, etc., and for placing orders, In order to more expeditiously serve .these types of calls, it is, therefore, desirable to reduce the amount of routine operator effort required to complete the calls.

When a semi-automatic system is not attended by an operator during the night or periods of light traffic, calls directed to customers served by the system may not ybe completed. The incompleted calls result in Ithe repeated ringing of a call station and no answer. A telephone caller is very likely to become irritated under these circumstances and may even originate subsequent calls in an effort to contact the called party. The latter causes the unnecessary tie-up of switching equipment and the former indicates that satisfactory service is not being given to customers. It is desirable, therefore, to provide facilities for answering these calls and for advising the callers that the called party is not available and that he may leave a message. ln this manner, the number of so-ealled lost calls would be reduced and also the needless tie-up of switching equipment would be eliminated.

ln view of the foregoing, a general object of this invention is Ito reduce both the amount and need of operator assistance in the completion of calls.

The present invention is illustrated herein as embodied in a so-called automatic call distributor system which is fully automatic for most of its functional operations; yet, which requires an operator to assist in the completion of certain types of calls. While this exemplary embodiment of the invention is disclosed in this type of system, it is not intended that it be in any way a limitation of the scope of the invention.

A distributor system is primarily utilized for handling telephone calls to frequently called customer numbers, such as department stores, telegraph operators and the like. The calls are normally served at the customer location by a team of operators. The central oice serving the frequently called number is connected to the distributor at the customer location by a number of trunks. The application of a ringing signal in the central oflice to any one of the trunks initiates the operation of the `distributor switching gear to connect the rung trunk to an idle operator position circuit for serving call.

-T he main object of lthis invention is gene-rally to improve call distributor systems in a number of ways and particularly provide a new intercept service 'that relieves operators serving the system of the duty of supplying routine announcement services heretofore often required during the completion of calls.

Another, and more particular object of the linvention is lto provide facilities for increasing the traic handling capacity of operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a distributor system with improved e'iciency.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved intercept services.

Still another object of this invention .is to provide facilities for handling calls during the period when the distributor is unattended. r

A principal advantage of the present invention is that it affords `better telephone service than was heretofore provided by distributor systems. The improved service is rendered both during attended and unattended periods of the system operation and is resultant from the use of more automatic equipment arrangements for handling calls. For example, intercept and announcement arrangements are provided for use during the attended period of the system to facilitate the prompt answering of calls, the early release of the ringing equipment and control gear 'associated therewith at the central oflice and, in addition, to aid in expediting calls while relieving operators of the duty of supplying routine announcement servyices. As a result of the prompt answering of Calls, ya caller receives better service and is very likely to form a good impression of the called partys business practices. The early release of the ringing equipment reduces the holding time of and the load on that equipment and allows for economies in the central office plant equipment. Relieving the operator of the announcement duties permits her to handle more calls where her assistance is essential -to the completion of cal-ls. In the absence of the customary operators, interceptaautomatic answering and message recording equipment is provided to facilitate the completion of calls, to reduce the number of lost calls, and to eliminate the need for the usual facilities for lalarm signaling and emergency answering heretofore provided in such systems.

The general lfeatures of the present invention whereby the foregoing objects are attained, and whereby departures from prior techniques result, are contained in a distributor system utilizing intercept facilities for automatically handling part of a call heretofore manually handled in such systems, for supplying automatically during this part recorded announcements relating to general information, advertising, etc., and for `switching to an operator that part of a call to be handled manually.

A particular feature of the present invention which is included in the new intercept facilities is the provision of an individual intercept circuit for each trunk extending between the central ofiice and the distributor system. Each circuit utilizes relay circuit arrangements for intercepting, or answering, an incoming call; for controlling the extension of the call to announcement facilities; and for controlling the application of -a signal condition to an associated trunk circuit to initiate its operation.

Another feature of this invention related to the immedia-tely previous one is the provision of common control circuitry that operates in conjunction with all of the aforementioned intercept circuits :to control the connection of calls from intercept circuits to announcement equipment prior to the routing of these calls to operators. This circuitry includes a number of individual relay circuits which are opera-tive subsequent to the operation of an intercept circuit. One of these circuits includes means for tripping ringing signals from the central otlice, another is organized to control the operation of the announcement equipment, another is arranged to connect av call from an intercept circuit to the announcement equipment for the purpose of sending the recorded announcement to a calling party. Another circuit is operative under control of an end of announcement signal from the announcement equipment to initiate the operation of other circuits of the distributor system which route the call to an operator for service.

Another specific feature, directly related to the latter, is that the common control circuitry include facilities, which are activated when a call cannot be routed to an operator because of an all operators busy condition, -for transmitting a recorded message to the caller explain- -ing the reasons for the delay. These facilities include apparatus activated by an intercept circuit for starting the operation of an announcement device, and apparatus controlled jointly by that device and the aforementioned announcement equipment for connecting waiting calls to that device to receive the recorded message.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of intercept facilities for handling calls during the time that the distributor system is unattended. These facilities include an intercept control circuit associated with automatic answering and message recording equipment, means for associating this circuit and equipment with one operator position circuit, and means for permitting calls to be directed only to that one position circuit. When a call is routed to the one position circuit, the automatic answering equipment is arranged to transmit the recorded announcement over the switch connections to inform the calling party that the called party is not available and to `solicit a message from the caller and then to record the message if one is given. Means are also provided in the control circuit for discontinuing the first mentioned intercept announcement service during unattended periods.

The foregoing objects, advantages, and features of the present invention as well as others will be apparent from the subsequent descriptions of the exemplary embodiment thereof shown in the drawings.

A clear and complete description of the invention is facilitated by reference to the eight sheets of drawings which show, in block and schematic diagrams, the exemplary call distributor system in which the invention and its features are embodied.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates in block diagram form the switching plan of the exemplary distributor system;

FIG. 2 illustrates intercept circuits associated with the trunks interconnecting the central ofce of the distributor system. The intercept circuit designated 2lNl5 is one of 16 intercept circuits ZlNtiti-l and is shown in schematic detail. The circuit ZINtlti is shown in block diagram form and the circuits lNtll-Il are not shown;

FIG. 3 illustrates the incoming trunk circuits associated with the intercept circuits. The trunk circuit 3TR15 is one of 16 trunk circuits TRtltl-l and is shown in schematic detail. The circuit STRtiti is shown in block diagram form and circuits STRtll-li are not shown;

FIG. 4 illustrates a skeletonized crossbar switch net- Work;

FIG. 5 illustrates the distributor control circuit;

FIG. 6 illustrates in schematic form the common intercept control circuit and in block diagram form the announcement equipments;

FIG. 7 illustrates the operator position circuits. Position circuit 713% is one of the ten position circuits 71906-9 and is shown in schematic detail. Circuit 7?69 is shown in block diagram form and circuits 7PM-3 are not shown;

FIG. 8 illustrates in schematic form the unattended intercept circuit, and in block diagram form the auto matic answering and message recording equipment; and

FIG. 9 illustra-tes the position in which FIGS. 2 to 8, inclusive, should be placed to show an operative arrangement.

In the following description, functional designa-tions have been used. Each includes an indication of the figure in the detailed circuit drawings in which the unit appears, and generally also an indication of the yfunction of the unit. For example, the rst digit 2 of the designation ZTKtl in FIG. 1 indicates that it also appears in FlG. Z of the detailed circuit drawings, and the letters TK indicate the desi@ation is of a trunk.

GENERAL DESCRIPTON The distributor switching plan is designed to provide for the interconnections between central office circuits and operator position circuits for the purpose of completing calls. Referring to PEG. 1, the central office CO is connected to the distributor system by a number of trunks designated ZTKu-i. The central ofi-ice includes the usual facilities of switching gear, ringing and battery supplies, etc., for extending telephone calls -to these trunks. Each of the trunks Z'iliiti-l is terminated at the distributor in one of 16 intercept circuits @Nitti-l5 and in one of the i6 incoming trunk circuits TRutt-l. rEhe circuits ZiNui'a-l' are associated with a common intercept control circuit, which Iin turn functions in conjunction with the announcement equipments tiANt and @ANZ The distributor employs a crossbar switch network that operates under control of the incoming 'mink circuits, a distributor control circuit, and a group of opcrater position circuits EH56-tl?. The unattended intercept circuit is arranged for association with the position circuit 713%, the automatic answering and message recording equipment AN, the common intercept control circuit, and each of the intercept circuits lNtltB-l during the unattended periods.

By giving reference to the block diagrams of FiG. 1, and to the following brief descriptions of typical calls, a general understanding may be gained of the Ifunctional operations involved in establishing connections between calling parties and an operator or the automatic answering and message recording device. A telephone call from the central ofice to a customer served by the distributor is originated in the usual manner. The central oiice functions also in the usual manner to connect the calli to one of the trunks ZTKti-i' to the distributor and to supply a ringing signal thereto. The ringing signal operates the intercept circuit associated with the rung trunk, which in turn operates the common intercept control circuit. The latter circuit functions to trip the incoming ringing signal, to apply a supervisory holding condition for eouipment at the central ofce, and to connect the call to the announcement equipment oAN. A recorded message is then reproduced and transmitted from the equipment oANl over the switch connections to the calling party. This message announcement is primarily intended to include routine information messages which are regularly supplied by operators. At the end of the announcement, the equipment a-ANl signals the intercept control circuit to route the call to an operator for service if no other calls are awaiting service. if other calls are awaiting service, however, or if for some other reason there fis .to be an extended delay (such as when all operators are busy handling other calls), the intercept control circuit connects the call to the announcement equipment oAN. The latter, after a prescribed delay, then reproduces and transmits a recorded message to all calling parties awaiting service. This message informs the callers of the delay.V When the system is prepared to rou-te the call to an operator, that is, when no other call with preference over the exemplary one is awaiting service, the incoming trunk circuit associated with the rung trunk, the

. distributor control circuit, the crossbar svi/'itch network,

and one of the available operator position circuits operate to connect the call to an operator for service.

During the periods lthat an operator is not attending the distributor systern, an unattended intercept service is available. The unattended intercept circuit is manually brought into service by the operation of a key (not shown). The circuit operates to cancel the operation of "te intercept control circuit and hence the foregoing announcement services on calls, 4to exercise certain control functions over the circuits 2li lid-1S and the associated circuits 3Tl lb=lto malte position circuit 7&7 `able for serving calls, and to cancel subsequent operations of the position circuits 7PM-S9. Thereafter, when an incoming call is connected to one of the trunks TBEG-l5 and ringing is applied, the associated intercept circuit operates and proceeds immediately to operate he associated trunk circuit (without any announcement being made) and to route the call through the switch network to the position circuit 7PM?. ln the rneantirne, ringing is not tripped and the intercept circuit associated with the rung trunk is held operated under control of the unattended intercept circuit. The ringing signal is connected through the circuit 7F69 and the unattended intercept circuit to the equipment EAN. This signal operates the unattended intercept circuit, which in turn eiects the release of the intercept circuit associated with the rung trunk. The same signal operates the automatic answerand message recording equipment SAN, which then sequentially operates to trip the ringing signal, to reproduce and -to transrnit a recorded announcement that informs the caller that :the called party is not available and that `solicits a message from the caller, to receive and to record a message, it one is given, and thereafter to signal the circuit to initiate the release of the systern. After the release ot' the system, other alls may be served.

Derailed Dcscripn-iittercep Service Ewing Attended Periods Referring now to the detailed circuit representation shown in FGS. 2 to 8, inclusive, 4as arranged in accordance with FG. 9, the operaon of the circuits in extending a call lfrorrL the central otce circuits over one trunk to an operator will be described. Assume that, in the usual manner, a custorner has originated a call through the central office CO to the customer served by the distributor systern and that `the central oit-ce has connected call to a :trunk connecting the distributor a. d the central ohice. The sequence of operations for extending a connection through the distributor is initiated when ringing current is applied across the tip and ring leads of one of the trunks ZTKSQ-l Assume further, for example, that trunk ZTKS is utilized for the call. The cen othce C() includes the usual facilities, including the switching gear, ringing supplies, battery and supplies, etc., for extending a connection to the trunks ZTllii' and for applyinfy ringing current thereto. At the sarne time that ringing current is applied to trunk .'TilS by the central office CG, a ground potential is also applic from the central olice CO to the tip lead sgi or' the trunk ZTKIlS.

The ringing signal applied to trunk ZTKlS operates a ring relay 2R in the intercept circuit LTNS. The circuit ZlNlS is one of 16 intercept circuits in the distributor systei, which are respectively connected to the trunlts ETL-bc-l ln ition to the 16 circuits Zibllt-S in the distributor, which are connected to the trunks ZTK tlt, the distributor includes 16 incoming trunk circuits BTRtlS-l' which are also connected to the trunlrs ZTlQ-l. As is hereinafter described, the circuitry of the circuits ETRtlllis arranged such that ody the associated one of the circuits ZlN-id operates responsive to a ringing signal on one of the trunks ZTltd-l.

The operating path for the relay 2R in the circuit 2-lNl3 is from the ring lead Zll of the trunk ZTKES through Contact 5 of the relay 2A, a capacitor 2C shunted by the resistor ERA, the lower winding of relay 2R, and Contact of relay 2A to the tip lead ZTlS of the trunk ETKS. When relay 2R operates, it closes a locking path through its upper winding and it operates the trip ringing relay 6T?. The locking path is from battery 281 through the upper winding and Contact 'i of relay 2R, and contact l of relay 2A to ground. The operating path for relay TP extends from battery H531 through the winding of relay oT?, contact 3 ot relay 6C in parallel over leads AG1 and AGE ot" cable SCA through Contact (ill of the trunk gate relay STG, contact l of relay 6RS, Contact 2 of relay el, over lead ZAZ, contact 2 of relay 2R, and contact 3 of relay 2A to ground. When relay 6T P operates, it readies a path for tripping ringing in the central oice CG, and it completes a path for operating relay eC. This latter path extends from battery 632 through the winding of relay 6C and contact '7 of relay 6T? to ground. When relay 6C operates, it closes a locking path for itself; corn Jletes operating paths for the relay 2A in the circuit ZlNle, relay 3R in the trunk circuit STR, and the gate relay STG in the distributor control circuit; and opens the operating path for relay eTP. The locking path for relay 6C is from battery 6132 through the winding and Contact 7 of relay 6C, contact 4 of relay 6J, and contact 2 of relay RS to ground. Relay 2A operates in a path from battery 2B?. through the winding of relay 2A, diode ZD, contact l of relay 2R, over lead 2A3 to FIG. 6, Contact l of relay TP, and contact l of relay 6C to ground. This saine ground, which is extended to the winding of relay 2A is extended over lead ZSS to the winding of relay 3R in the trunk circuit STRS to operate it. Relay SR operates and locks to ground supplied through its Contact fr via resistor illl and Contact 2 of relay 3T in the trunk circuit STRl. This saine locking path is extended baclr over lead 2315 to lock operated relay 2A in the circuit ZiNlS. As described hereinafter, the operation of relay 3R is utilized for preparing the trunk for connection to an idle operator position circuit.

As indicated above, the operation of relay 6C cornpletes a path for operating relay STG in the distributor control circuit. This path is from battery SB-l through the winding of relay STG, over lead 6G of cable SCA into PEG. 6, and Contact E of relay 6C to ground. If, however, the trunk gate is already operated, as hereinafter described, during the connection of another call to an op era-tor position circuit, this last mentioned path is but a supplementary operating path for relay ST G. When relay STG is operated and when, as described below, the 6T? relay releases, the admittance of subsequent calls to the intercept common control circuit is blocked and those calls do not proceed beyond the respective intercept circuits ZiN d. All subsequent calls proceed to the point of applying and maintaining the ringing signal to the particular one of the trunks ZTKtli-ll to be used for the call and operating the relay ZR in the intercept circuit associated with that trunk.

As also indicated above, when relay 6C operates, it opens the operating path for relay @TP at its Contact 3 and causes it to release. Relay GTP is a slow releasing device which permits relay 2A in the circuit EINES, relay 3R in the circuit STRl, and relay 5TG in the control circuit to operate before it releases. When relay 6T? releases, the call on trunk 2Til5 is connected through to the announcement equipment ANl and a path is completed to start the operation of the equipment @ANL When relay 2A operates, ringing is tripped in the central oilice C0 due to a shunt connection across the leads and ZRLS oi the trunk ZTlll. This connection is from tip lead ZTll of trunlr ZTll through contact 4 of relay ZA, resistor ERB, Contact 3 of relay 2R, over lead 2in1 to FlG. 6, contacts 2 and l of relay GTP, over lead 2A@ to FIG. 2, contact 5 of relay 2R, resistor ZRC, and contact o of relay 2A to lead 2R15 of trunk ZTKlS. This shunt connection completes a path for operating the ringing tripped relay (not shown) associated with trunk ZTKlS at the central otlice. This relay operates and transfers the tip and ring leads .Tl and Zll of trunk ZTKlS from the ringing supply to a ground and battery supply. The potentials connected over these leads are then used for purposes of talking and supervisory control. The tip lead Z'El is connected to ground and the ring lead ZRlS to battery.

The operation of relay 2A opens the aforementioned locking path for relay 2R in the circuit ZlNlS at its contact l and recloses another locking path for relay 2R. The latter path is from battery ZBl through the upper Winding of relay 2R, contact 7 of relay 2R, contact l. of relay 2A, over lead 2A4 to FIG. 6, Contact i of relay 6l, and contact 2 of relay eRS to ground.

The operation of relay 2A also completes a path for operating relay 6ST. This path is from battery 554 through the Winding of relay 6ST, over lead DA to FlG. 8, Contact lil of relay SUNZ, over lead to 5 and thence to FIG. 2, and contact S of relay 2A to ground. Relay 6ST functions as part of the control circuitry associated with the announcement equipment dANZ. The operations of the latter circuitry is described in subsequent paragraphs.

The circuit action to be described presently is that caused upon the operation of the announcement equipment 6AN1 and upon the connection of the call on trunk 2TK15 thereto. Hence, it is deemed advisable at this point -to present a short explanation of the equipment tANl in order to explain its role in the system. The equipment ANl may be similar to the answering or talk-out mechanism and circuitry disclosed in Patent 2,846,505, granted August 5, 1958 to C. R. Keith et al. and in the related Patent 2,761,899, granted September 4, 1956 to C. R. Keith et al. provided that the modifications hereinafter set forth are made. The mechanism and circuitry are utilized for three main functions. These are: to record the message to be transmitted, to check the message, and to reproduce and transmit the message to a calling party. The exemplary embodiment of this invention ris directed primarily to the last of these functions. Since the details of this mechanism are presented in the above patents, the yfollowing description will be limited to that portion of the equipment necessary for an understanding of the present invention. Referring now to the block diagram of FIG. 6, the circuit which includes the adjustable limit switch ALSl and relay eS'fi is used to control the operation of the equipment dANl. relay operate path extends from ground through Contact ll of the adjustable limit switch, over lead SB, contact 6 of relay GTP, Contact 6 of relay 6C, over lead STA, and the relay Winding of relay 6STi to battery. Relay GSTl corresponds to relay 32 of the C. R. Keith et al. Patent 2,846,505. The circuit arrangement of the latter relay has been modified for purposes of the present invention to include the above described path of ElG. 6. With this arrangement, the operation of the equipment oANll is initiated by the closure of the operate path for relay 6ST1 under control of relays TP and 6C. The functions of the apparatus and circuitry of the equipment and its mode of operation after the operation of relay STl are essentially the same as described in the aforementioned patents with the following exception. At the end of the announcement transmission (a cycle of operation), the adjustable limit switch AlS is operated automatically and ground is connected over lead RSA to operate, as hereinafter described, relay 6RS.

Returning now to the connecting sequence, the call on trunk 2TK15 is connected ove-r a path which extends from the tip lead ZTlS of trunk ZTKS through contact 6 of relay 2A, resistor QRC, contact 5 of relay 2R, over lead 2A@ to yFlG. 6, Contact 5 of relay 6T?, contact 5 of relay 6C, and the tip lead @SAT to the equipment ANl; and over a path which is from the ring lead 2R25 o trunk ZTKS, contact d of relay 2A, resistor ZRB,

a ...iv

contact 3 of relay 2R, over lead ZAl to FlG. 6, contact 3 of relay 6T?, contact l of relay 6C, and the ring lead @Al to the equipment dANl.

The aboveientioned path, completed to start the operation of the announcement equipment dANl, is from lead @STA through Contact 6 of relay 6C and the contact 6 of relay 6T? to lead eSTB. The completion of this path causes the operation of relay eSTl, which in turn initiates the operation or" the other control circuitry (not shown) within the announcement equipment ANl. The recordmechanism and ampliiier circuitry of the equipment oAN functions, at the proper time, to reproduce a prerecorded message `for transmission over the leads SAT and @AR and the above described path to the calling party. This message may be prerecorded in the usual manner by an operator or by the customer senved by the distributor and may relate to general information, advertisement, and the like.

After the announcement is completed, control circuitry (not shown) within the announcement equipment dANl momentarily operates the adjustable limit switch ALSl which in turn connects ground through its contact 2 over lead SRSA to momentarily operate the restoral relay RS and thereby initiate a sequence of operations for ultimately connecting the incoming call on trunk 2TK15 to an idle operator position circuit. The operation of switch `ALSIl causes the release of relay 652m by opening that relays operating path at its Contact l. When relay RS operates, it opens at its contact 2 the locking paths, hereinbefore described, =for relay 2R in the circuit ZlNS and relay 6C. These relays then release.

The release of relay 2R in the circuit ZlNlS switches the tip lead ZTlS and the ring lead ZRl of trunk ZTKlS to leads 22A- and ZAE, through its contacts s and 6, respectively. Resistor ZRD is connected across these leads and provides a supervisory hold condition on the trunk 2'l`l5 back to the central oliice until the call is distributed to an operator. As will be described hereinafter, the relay switching circuits of FlG. 6, that are associated with leads 2A6 and ZAS and the announcement equipment SANZ, are utilized if the distributor switching circuits are busy processing other calls and if operator position circuits are busy and unable to serve calls within aprescribed period of time. These associated circuits are also used to control the transmission of a recorded announcement over switch connections to calling parties. This announcement may relate that some unavoidable delay has occurred and that calls will be answered momentarily.

When, as stated above, relay 6C releases, it disconnects, at its contacts i and 53, the announcement equipment eANl from the tip and ring leads ZTlS and 2R15 of trunk ZTKl; opens, at its Contact l, the operating circuits for relays 2A and 3R (these relays, as hereinbefore described, are locked operated `and therefore do not release at this time); and opens, at its contact 2, an operating circuit for the trunk gate relay STG.

The release action of relay 6ST1 causes the equipment dANl to return to normal, that is, to the condition `assumed prior to the operation of relay dSTl. The equipment ANl is then made available for serving subsequent calls. After the momentary operation of the lS relay and the release of relay 6C, the switching gear of FlG. 6, associated with circuits Nitti-l5 'and the announcement equipment ANl, is ready -to handle other incoming calls.

lf relay STG was not operated for connecting calls other than the instant exemplary one to operator position circuits, the opening of :its aforementioned `operating path under control of relay 6C would cause it to release. lrovided this were the case, the release of relay 5'l`G would reclose the trunk gate to initiate, as hereinafter described, further operations in the trunk circuit STRIS that would result in the connection of the call on trunk ZTKlS to an idle operator position circuit. However, if

a number of other incoming calls are `already connected to some of the incoming trunk circuits EsRllil-l-l (assume that each of these calls was connected thereto in essentially the same -mmner as the exemplary one) and are awaiting connection to 'an operator position circuit, and if these calls have service preference over the instant exemplary one, relay TG remains operated. The circuits controlling the operation of relay STG will be described in detail hereinafter.

When such a delay is encountered in connecting a call to an idle operator position circuit, the circuits of relays 6B, 6RSA, and 6ST, and of the announcement equipment GANZ, yare operative to monitor how long it is taking for incoming calls to be processed through the distributor to position circuits. lf the time involved exceeds a prescribed interval, these circuits are also operative to control the transmission of `a recorded message from the announcement equipment ANZ to all of the calling parties who have 'already received an announcement from the equipment GANl and who are still awaiting a connection to an operator to inform them that a slight delay has occurred in handling calls and that they will be served momentarily.

At this point, a few remarks are considened necessary to explain the Igeneral characteristics of the announcement equipment 6AN2. The announcement equipment suitable for use in the exemplary embodiment of this invention may be of various types. The particular design adapted and used herein for illustrating the present invention is a slightly modified version of the talk-out mechanism and control circuitry disclosed in Patent 2,846,505, granted August 5, 1958 to C. R. Keith et al. and in the related Paten-t 2,761,899, granted September 4, 1956 to C. R. Keith et al. The circuitry thereof is modified in exactly the same manner as specified herein'oefore for the equipment SANTL, and its mode of operation is essentially the same.

Returning now to the connecting sequence, described hereinbefore, it may be recalled that relay 6ST is operated at the beginning of an incoming call in a circuit which extends from battery cl3-4 through the winding of relay 6ST, over lead DA to FIG. 8, contact 1G of relay SUNZ, over lead SDB to FIG. 2, Iand through contact S of relay 2A :in the intercept circuit `engaged on the incoming call.

When relay 6ST operates on `an incoming call, it closes a path through its Contact 2 for causingT the operation of relay 6ST2 within the equipment ASANZ. Relay 6ST2 in turn initiates the operation of other control circuitry (not shown) of equipment 6AN2. The oper-ations of r` equipment 6AN2 may be functionally divided, for illustrating Ithis particular announcement service of the distri- -bution system, into two separate cycles of operation. These are: a first, or initial7 cycle during which timing and control operations are performed and `an Iannouncement is reproduced but is not transmitted to callers because switch connections are not yet established therebetween; and a second cycle during Iwhich the rst operation of the equipment is repeated and a recorded announcement is reproduced and transmitted over established switch connections to callers. The latter cycle of operation is repeated as long 'as relay 6STZ remains operated under control `of the above-mentioned path. The drst cycle is designed to permit awaiting calls to be processed through the system in the normal manner and Vwithin a prescribed interval set forth by local traffic handling requirements. This interval beine the period required Ito complete one cycle of the equipment SANZ operation. The operation thereof is controlled by such factors as the length of the message to be transmitted, the time required to restore the equipment to normal after an announcement, etc. For purposes of illustration, assume that the rst cycle of operation is 30 seconds in duration and that the `second is also 30 seconds. In the event that an incoming call is not connected to an operator position circuit at `the end of the reproduction `of the announcement during `the first cycle, relay 6ST remains operated and equipment SANZ momentarily and automatically operates the adjustable limit switch 6ALS2 which in turn connects ground over lead RSB to momentarily operate relay oRSA. When relay RSA operetes, it completes ya path from battery 6236 through the `winding of relay 6B, Contact l of relay RSA, I:and contact 1 of relay 6ST to ground, thereby operating relay 6B. Rel-ay 6B locks operated through its contact 3 under control of relay 6ST; and connects leads ZAS and 2A6 to leads 6BT and 6BR, respectively, which lare associated Iwith the yannouncement equipment dANZ. Since leads 2A5 and ZAe are multiple-connected to all of the interept circuits ZlNdtL, the last-mentioned connection associates the announcement equipment cANZ with all cti the circuits ZlNt'it-i. vit/hen switch dALSZ operates, as mentioned above, it opens the operate path for relay 6ST2 at its contact 1. Relay 6ST2 then releases `to restore the equipment 6AN2 to the condition assumed prior to the operation of relay 6ST2. When the restoration is completed, the switch 6ALS2 releases and causes the reoperation of the control circuitry (not shown) of equipment 6AN2 to start its second cycle of operation (this cycle lactually tbeing a recycle of the :iirst operation). If any ofthe aforementioned incoming calls are still awaiting connection to an `operator position circuit at the beginning of the second cycle of operation7 `the recording mechanism and amplifier circuits fwithin the equipment 6AN2 function to reproduce a prerecorded message for transmission over leads GBT yand BR to the calling parties awaiting service Via the intercept circuits, the associated trunks, and the central :otce circuits (not shown). For example, this message is sent from the recording mechanism and amplier tcircuit over leads 6BT and GBR through contacts l and 2 of relay 6B, over ileads ZAS and 2A6 into FIG. .2, contacts 4 and 6 of relay 2R in circuit ZiNlS, resistons ZRB and 2RC, and contacts 4 and 6 of relay 2A 'to leads ZTIS and 2R35 of trunk ZTKlS. The transmitted message may relate to information such as, Yo-u have reached the called party; however, there will be a slight delay before your call is answered. The announcement equipment v6AN2 thereafter causes this information to be repeated approximately every 30 seconds as long as relays 5ST and 6B remain operated. Subsequent operations of the equipment 6AN2 are essentially the same as described above. When relay 6ST releases, however, as described hereinafter, it opens the path, at its contact 2, which initiated the operation of relay 6ST2 of the equipment 6AN2. The release of relay 6ST2 causes the equipment AN?. to return rto the condition assumed prior [to the initial operation of relay GSTZ and hence to be available for service on subsequent calls. The release lof relay 6ST also causes the release of relay `6B by opening the locking path for that relay at its contact l.

if, on the other hand, a number of mcorninU calls are not connected to the incoming trunk circuits STRlll- 14, relay 5TG in the distributor control circuit releases when its hereinbefore described supplementary loperating path is opened. When mlay STG releases, it in turn causes the operation of the seizure relay 3S in the trunk circuit STRlS and a gate control relay SGC in the distribu-tor control circuit. The windings of relays GC and 3S are serially connected over a path tfrom ground at the winding of relay SGC through `a lead SLA, contact 2 of relay 3R, a lead BGZ of cable SCA, Contact @l of gate relay 'G, a lead BGl of cable SCA, and the lower winding of relay 3S to battery SBZ. Relay 3S and the relay S- C are in this manner serially operated 1oy relay TG. Upon operating, relay 3S in the circuit STRlS locks itself operated and it operates the differential relay 3T which is also in circuit SERES. riihe locking path for relay 3S is from battery SBZ through Ithe lower winding of relay 3S, contact 4 .of relay 3S, Contact 2 of relay 3R,

' 16, three-wire links are available for calls.

and lead SLA to the grounded vwinding of relay GC. ln this manne-r, relay 3S locks to ground through a path that shun-ts the portion of its operating path through contact lill .of relay 5TG1. When, `as hereinafter described, the gate relay STG is operated, it prevents the admittance of subsequent calls lby opening the operating paths for all 16 relays 3S. All o-t` er 3S relays Iin the trunk circuits STRilll-lllcannot operate subsequent to 'the operation of the trunk gate relay 5l@ because their operating paths are through contacts @Z-le of relay 5T G.

When relay SGC operates, it connects ground 1h its contact l, a thermistor S, :and the winding of relay STG to battery 5B1 causing relay TG to operate. The thenrnistor ST1 delays the operation of relay STG by holding the current through the winding of relay STG below its operate value for an interval after path closure. As indicated above, the operation of relay STG opens the operating paths for `all relays 3S in the circuits STRil-i so that these relays cannot operate. The relay 3S in trunl; circuit STRl is, however, locked operated. Relays 5T G land SGC orrn a gate circuit which controls the manner in which calls arriving on trunks iTllltl-l are served.

As indicated above, when relay 3S in circuit STRi operates, it in turn operates relay 3T in the saine circuit. Only one of the i6 relays 3T in the circuits ETllFQ-d operates at a ltime because the relay windings thereof are connected in a preference chain. These relays `are connected so that the relay 3T the lowest numbered truni; circuit has highest preference. Since the only 3S relay operated at this time is that relay in TRi, relay 3T in circuit STRS is operated. The operating path for relay 3T is from battery 333 through the upper winding of relay 3T, contacts 7 and 9 in parallel or" relay 3S, contacts 3 and S in parallel of relay 3R, leads SAQ and 3B?, in parallel; and through the following paths or" truL t circuits STRllil-ll, leads 3A?. and EBEL, contacts d vand 6 in parallel of relay 3R to leads 3A@ land SEQ in parallel through cable SCB, the two windings in parallel of the differential relay 5D in the distributor control circuit, Contact 6 or a slow release relay SSR, contact l of 'the dilterential relay SL, and contact l or a release relay S'Rl to ground. The leads and of the trunk circuit STRlS are multipled through a resistor 3R to battery 3B4. When all 'lo relays are normal, battery 3B@ is connected through cable ECB to the windings oi the relay 5D in the distributor control circuit. The relay 5D does not, however, operate -as long yas the saine potential is provided across both windings. lt, accordingly, does not operate when relay 3T in trunk circuit STRlS operates. This arrangement provides Ian auto-:natie continuity check of the entire preference chain.

When relay 3T in the circuit STRS' operates, it readies ya path for operating the select magnet t" the crossbar switch, and Ait operates select magnet @Sfr or the crossbfar switch and relay STC in the distributor control circuit.

A short explanation lis deemed desirable at this point concerning the crossbar switch mechanism. The exeinplary distributor uses a l0 by l0 switch providing 1180 crosspoints. it contains ten vertical units and ten horizontal units consisting of ve horizontal bars with two select magnets for each bar. One select magnet pulls the bar upwards and the other select magnet pulls it downward, thus providing two horizontal paths for each bar or a total of yten horizon-tal paths. The crossba switch Alio-rizontals and verticals are arranged so that a total of These linlis lare obtained by using eight six-wire horizontals (levels 2 to 9) and choosing either the left half or right halt (or upper or lower half, as they may be referred to) of a crosspoint by operating either `the or l level six-wire crosspoint in combination with one of the level wire crosspoint. Each vertical unit has ten groups of contacts, one for each horizontal unit associated with it, and a hold magnet. Each of the horizontal units 2 to 9,

inclusive, is connected to two of the trunks ZTKilil-l (three-wire connections for each trunk) and each of the horizontal units il and l is associated with one of the operator position circuits 7Pillltv9- The normal multiple strappings across corresponding contacts of horizontal levels ll and l are removed on the crossbar switch. Each of the position circuits is connected to the left half of the contacts or level l and to the night halt ot the contacts ci level il. The select rnagnets iS-tl' and LiSd identify which one of the two trunks connected to a horizontal unit is to be extended to one of the position circuits Pl-il?. A hold magnet, associated with each position circuit and `each vertical unit, actuates and holds the connection through the crcssbar switch.

As noted above, when relay 3T in trunk circuit l'ill operates, closes la path for operating select magnet fiSl.. rlhis is iron*l ground at the con-tact fifi of a transfer relay Sill, lead Sl which is part of cable SCC, contact 2 or" relay 3S, Contact 3 of relay 'l, lead SSL, and the winding ci the select mag-'iet 4537i to battery 4h23. rlhe sane ground extended to contact 3 of relay 3T passes through Contact l of relay 3R, resistor SR, and in parallel through the winding of relay 3R to battery and thror"h lead 2535 and the winding o relay 2A in circuit to battery EEZ. ln this manner, relays 3R and 2A remain locked operated when Contact Z of relay 3T in circuit BTRES opens to remove the first locking gro-und. o noted above, when relay 3T in the circuit '"'l` operates, it readies a path for operating the select magnet 2"9. This path is from battery llfl through the win Ying of select magnet 489, lead 3El5, contact 4 3T, cont-'act 3 of relay 3S, lead STC of cable 3CD 5, the wind-ings of relay :BTC to ground. Relay STC operates over this path but the impedance of its itwo windings limits the current through the path so that the select ma'net does not operate. When relay ETC operates, operates the associated relay 5TG1 over a path JIrons ground through the Contact of relay STC and the winding ci relay ST l. to battery' 524-. When S''Cl operates, it shunts the upper winding relay STC by extending a connection from fthe junction of the two wind-ings of relay STC thro-ugh diode SDE., Contact 5 of relay STCl, and Contact l of relay Sll 4to ground. The shunting of the upp'e Iwinding of relay :"TC reduces the impedance in the path through the `winding of select magnet 4S? and permits it to operate. lll/ith the select magnets .Sl and operated, the trunk TK, which is connected to left or upper hdi of crosspoints of the crossbar switch horizontal level 9, is readied for connection to any of the operator position circuits 7PM-0%. Upon operating, relay TCl closes a connection from the tip lead QZ-T15 of trunk ZTKZi through Contact 1 of relay 3S, contact l of relay 3T, lead STD of cable 3CD, ccntact 7 of relay STCl, and the winding of relay l) to battery SBS. rl'he ground connected to the tip lead 2Tl5 of trunk Zl'll from the central olice is then used to checl; for an abandoned call.

An explanation is advisable at this point to explain the gyrations thro i which the system goes through if the call is abandoned. if the call on trunk ZTK is abandoned, the ground on tip lead ZTiS is removed, redoes not operate as a result thereof and a sequence or operations occur to return the distributor to normal relative to the call on trunl: falliti. lf the call is abandoned so that relay STD does not operate, relay 5TCl o= crate-s -a slow `operate and slow release relay SSR to initiate a release operation, The operating path for relay is trein ground through contact 6 of relay STCl, contact of relay STD, thermistor STA, Contact l of relay 135 l, Iand the winding relay LSR to battery 535. When relay 553 operates, it operates a relay STR, a message register SMS, `a larnp SLA, and a relay SRN. Relay is openated over a path from ground through Contact e o relay STCE, contact i oi relay Sil), con- E L tacts and 3 of relay ESP., and the wind-lng of relay 5T?.

tto battery SB?. The operation oi relay STR opens at its contact l the `operating path for the select magnet 4S of the crossbar switch `and the locking paths for relay' 3R in the circuit 3TR1S and relay 2A of the circuit ZlNlS causing them to release. The message register SMS is operated over a path from ground through con tact 2 of relay SSR and the winding of the register magnet SMS to battery SBS. Upon 'the operation of register SMS, it adds a count of one. The register keeps a count of Ithe number of abandoned calls. The lamp SLA is operated over a path from ground `through Contact l of relay SSR and `the lamp resistance to battery The lamp SLA remains lighted, as long as relay SSS*` is operated, to indicate that a release sequence is taking place. With fthe ylocking path for relay '3R in circuit STR-2S open, relay SR releases, opens at its contact 2 the locking path for relay 3S, and causes relay -S-S to release. Relay 3R also Lopens the operating path at its contact 2 for the gate control relay SGC Iwhich, however, may remain operated if a relay 3S in one of the circuits STRS-ld is operated at this time. lr" no other relay 3S is operated, relays SGC and STG sequentially release, as des above, reopening the gate and admitting calls awaiting service.

The release action of relay 2A in the circuit ZlNl' disconnects the tip and ring leads TS and ZS of trunk ZTKlS from the announcement equipment SANZ, `opens at its contact -3 the path controlling lthe operation of relay 6ST and thereby' returns the intercept circuit ZlNS to nonnal with respect Ito the call on the associated trunk. lf no other call-s are connected to any of the trunks Z'l'llL-lil, and are awaiting to be served when relay 2A opens the operate path for relay 6ST, the relay 6ST releases. The release of relay 6ST opens the path through its contact 2 which initiatedy the operation or" the equipment SANZ and 'thereby causes that equipment to cease operating. The release of rel-ay 6ST also causes release of relay A6B by opening the locking path for that relay at `its contact vl. However, if 'other calls are ing service, relay 6ST is not released and the equipment SANZ repeats the message, hereiribefore described, every 30 seconds.

When relay 3S in the circuit releases, it opens fthe operating path for relay 3T in the same circuit and causes yit to release. The release of relay 3S also opens the operating path for the select magnet 4S@ and for relay STC. The operating path for the select magnet 55S?, as described above, is through contact 3 of relay 3S and the operating path for relayl STC, also as described above, is `through the lead STC and the Contact 3 of relay When relay STC releases, it releases its associated relay STC.

As hereinbefore stated, when relay SSR operates, it also operates relay SRN. The operating path for relay is from ground through the winding of relay SRN, contact S of relay SSR, the windings in parallel of relay SD, the leads BAG and SBS in parallel of the cable SCE, through contacts 4 and 6 of relay 3R, leads 3A1 and SB to succeeding trunk circuits in the chain, and resistor SR2 to battery 334. If any one of the relay 3R in the circuits 3TROG-14 is operated, the connection through the contacts 4 and 6 thereof is opened Iand the path of the chain through that trunk circuit is through contacts 3 and 5 of relay 3R and contacts `"5 and 10 of relay 3S in the same trunk circuit. If some of the relays 3S in the circuits STRll-lfi are operated, the lowest numbered one extends the connection from contacts 3 and S or its associated rel-ay 3R through its contacts '7 and 9 to the upper windin g of the associated relay 3T. The upper winding of relay 3T is connected to battery SBS and hence provides a S relay SRN opens the operating path for relay SSR causing it to release. Message register SMS is released when contact Z of relay SSR opens and relay STR releases when contact 3 of relay SSR opens upon the release of relay SSR. Relay SSR also opens, at its contact l, the SLA lamp circuit and Icauses the lamp to extinguish. The distributor system is in this manner returned to normal with respect to serving the abandoned call on trunk ZTKS. When relay SSR releases, it opens the operating path of relay SBN and it completes an operating path for a relay 3T associated with an operated relay 3S in the lowest numbered operated trunk. For example, if relay 3S in the trunk circuit `STRllll is operated and the trunk circuit STRI'S is returned to normal, the relay 3T rin the circuit ?filRilh is operated. The operate path for the relay 3T in circuit STRSS is from battery SBS in the circuit STR@ through the lower winding of relay 3T, contacts 7 and 9 in parallel of relay 3S in the same circuit, contacts 3 and S of relay 3R in the same circuit, leads 3A@ and 3B@ in parallel, through cable SCE, the windings of relay SD in parallel, contact 6 of relay SSR, contact l of relay SL, and contact l of relay SR1 to ground. When relay 3T in the lcircuit STRG@ is operated, a sequence similar to that described above in reference to the call connected to the circuit STRS is initiated for connecting call on trunk STRllil to one of the position circuits.

On the other hand, provided the call on trunk ZTKlS is not abandoned, relay STD operates to cancel the last mentioned release sequence of operations. When relay STD operates, a path is closed to check the operation of the select magnets S1 and 459. This path is from battery SBM through the lower and upper windings of relay SSC, contact Z of relay SL, lead SSCL of cable SCA, contact 2 oi relay STCE, lead SSCL, the contact of select magnet dSl, the contact of select magnet 489, lead SDlS, resistor SR1, contact 1 of relay 3R, contact 2 of relay 3S, and over lead SPlS of cabe SCC to ground through contact 1S of relay STR in the control circuit. The polarized relay SSC operates in this path.

The operation of relay SSC completes an operating path for one oi the hold magnets @H9-9 which correspends to one vertical unit or" a crossbar switch. The hold magnets of a crossbar switch are operated on `a preference basis determined by the position circuits 'Figlia-@9. Each oi the circuits Plll-l includes a PA relay which is operated when the position is idle and ready to serve incoming calls. There are two conditions to be met in t le circuits 7PM-@ lfor relay '7PA to be operated. First, the operator telephone circuit must be connected to the position circuit, and, second, the position must not `be busy handling a call. if one or more of the lcircuits illl-ll@ is idle and ready to serve a call, the lowest numbered one is preferred as the relays 7PA in the l0 position circuits are connected in a preference chain. Assurning that the position circuit '7Pill is idle and ready to serve a call, a path is completed from ground supplied from the operator position circuit over lead A of cable Wall, contact 6 or relay SUNl, over lead A of cable 'Al, contact 2 of relay 7W, lead 7AG2, contact (lo of relay SPG, lead IAGL and the winding of relay 7PA to battery 733. it is noted that this path was continuous before the call progressed to this point and the position gate relay was operated.) Relay 713A operates and locks through its contact 7, contact 2 of relay 7W to the ground supplied from the operator telephone circuit over lead A. The gate relay SPG functions to gate position circuits 7PM-69 in a manner similar to that of the gate relay STG, which `gates the trunk circuits STRll-S. When any one o the relays PA in the circuits Willi-S9 is operated, a ground connection is provided through its contact 8 and contact 2 of relay SGC to the winding of the gate relay SPG which is also connected to battery SBZ. When the gate relay SPG is operated, it opens at its contacts lll-G9 the opening path for all relays 7PA. Any one of the position circuits which may become available for serving a call thereafter must await the release of relay SPG before its relay 'iPA can operate. The relay SPG remains operated as long as any one of relays 7PA is operated.

Returning now to previous discussion of the connecting sequence, when relay SSC in the control circuit operates and the relay PA in the circuit 7PM is operated, a connection is provided for operating the hold magnet fllt?. This path is from ground at contact 6 of relay STCl, contact 2 of relay STD, contact 2. of relay SSC, the windings of relay SP iri parallel, leads SPA and SPE in parallel of cable SCA, contacts 3 and 4 of relay S'Cl in parallel, leads SPA and SPB in parallel through the cable SCB, `contacts 4 and 6 of relay 'PA in the circuit /Pllil, lead dfi-IM@ of cable QCA, and the winding of the hold magnet ril-l@ to battery dBi?. The hold magnet 4H@ operates and connects the tip and ring leads ZTlS and ZlllS of trunk ZTKlS, respectively, through the contacts e and l on the horizontal level 9, contacts il and l. of horizontal level 1, over leads ST9 and 4R@ of cable dCA, leads T and R of cable 7'Al, contacts l@ and S of relay SUNl, md over leads T and R of cable 7A@ to the operator telephone circuit. When the hold magnet fil-It) operates, it also completes an operating path for a relay 7W in circuit 7F00. The operating path lfor the hold magnet Htl which was described above, is extended from lead @HMS through the contact of hold magnet il-lli, lead ll-IML of cable 4CA, and the winding of relay 7W to battery 7B6. When relay 7W operates, it locks operated through its `contact 3, over lead A1 of cable '7A1, contact 4 of relay SUNl, over lead A1 of cable 7All, and a contact of the operator release key 7RK to ground.

When relay 7W operates, it closes a path from battery 7BS through resistor 7Rl, Contact 4 or" relay 7W, over lead L of cable 7Al, Contact l of relay SUP l, over lead L of cable 7All, and the resistance of lamp 'LM to ground for lighting this lamp and signaling the operator to answer the call.

The operation of relay '7W in turn causes the operation of relay SPC in the control circuit to initiate the release of the common control equipment utilized for setting up the connection from the trunk ZTKS through the crossbar switch to the circuit 'ltri The operating path for relay SPC is from ground at contact Il of relay SR1 through the upper winding of relay SPC, lead SPC, contact 2 of relay 7PA, contact l of relay 7W, contact 7 of relay 7PA and the winding of relay PA to battery 7B3.

Upon o erating, relay 7W opens the original locking path for the associated relay 7PA at its Contact 2. However, relay PA is a slow release relay and remains operated over the above described path to ground through Contact l ot relay 7W and the winding of relay SlDC.

When relay '7W operates, it completes a locking path for relays 3S and 3T in the circuit STRlS. This path is from ground through its Contact S, contact l of relay '7PA in parallel with the resistor 7,22, lead @Cil of cable lCA, contact 2 of horizontal level l of the cross'oar switch, Contact 2 of horizontal level 9 of the crossbar switch, lead SClS, and then in parallel through the upper winding of relay 3S to battery SBl and through diode 3Dl through the upper winding of relay ST to battery BB3.

The operation of relay SPC shunts the lower (high resistance) winding of relay SSC to release relay 3R in trunk circuit STRlS and relay 2A in the intercept circuit ZlNlS. The shunt path is from the winding of relay 5R through lead SDlS, the contact of select magnet 459, the contact of select magnet Sl, lead SSCL, contact 2 of relay STCl, lead SSCL of cable SCA, contact 2 of relay SL, the upper winding oi relay SSC, and Contact 2 of relay SPC to battery SBS. Before relay SPC operated, the shunting path included the lower winding of relay SSC as well as its upper Winding. The lower winding, which is a high resistance winding, introduces suilicient impedance in the shunting path to permit relay 3R in the trunk circuit STRlS and relay 2A in the intercept cir- ,ser

l5 cuit ZlNlS to operated, but when the shunting of tl is high resi -ance winding occurs relay 3R and relay 2A release.

The release action of relay 2A disconnects the tip and ring leads TlS and 2R15 of trunk ZTKlS from the announcement equipment SANZ, opens at its contact 8 the controlling the operation of relay 6ST, and there by returns the intercept circuit ZlNlS to normal with respect to the call on the associated trunk. In the event that no other calls are connected to any of the trunks ZTll-l and are awaiting service when relay 2A opens the operating path for relay 6ST, the relay 6ST releases. The release of relay SST opens the path through its contact 2 which initiated the operation of the announcement equipment SANZ and thereby causes that equipment to cease operating. The release of relay 6ST also causes the release of relay 6B by opening the locldng path for that relay at its contact l. On the other hand, it' other calls are awaiting service, relay SST is not released and the announcement equipment SANZ repeats to calling parties the message, hereinbefore described, every 30 seconds.

when relay 3R in circuit STRlS releases, it opens the locking path through its contact 2 for its associated relay 3S. Relay 3S, however, remains operating over the locking circuit described above. As is hereinafter described, relay 3S remains operated when relay 7PA eleases due to the shunting connection of resistor 7R22 across Contact l of relay 7PA. When relay 3R releases, it also releases relay SSC in the control circuit to initiate a release sequence for returning the distributor to normal relative to the call on trunk ZTKlS so that other calls can be served. The operating path for relay SSC is open at Contact l of relay 3R.

The release of relay SSC closes an operating path for the differential relay SL from ground at Contact 6 of relay STCE, Contact 2 ot relay STD, contact 1 of relay SSC, contact 2 of relay SR1, and the upper Winding relay 5L to battery SB?. When relay SL operates, it sequentially operates relays SRA and SR1 in the control circuit. The operating path for relay SRA is from ground through the two windings oi relay SRA, contact 3 of relay SL, lead SSCL of cable SCA, contact 2 of relay STCl, lead SSCL, he contact of select magnet 451, the contact of select magnet 459, lead SDlS, and in parallel through the winding of relay 3R to battery 334, and through lead ZSIS and the winding of relay 2A to battery ZBZ. Relay SRA operates, but relays 3R and 2A do not operate over this path because the serially connected windings of relay SRA introduce a large impedance sullicient to maintain relays 3R and 2A in their released condition. The shunting path which causes the release of relays 3R and 2A was open at contact 2 of relay SL.

When relay SRA operates, it closes an operating path through its contact ll from ground through the winding of relay Sill to battery SBIl for causing relay SR1 to operate. When relay SRA operates, it also connects ground through its contact 2 to the upper winding of relay SPC to maintain it operated when relay SR1 operates and removes at its Contact 4 the ground potential therefrom.

The operation of relay SR1 opens the operating path at its contact l for select magnet 4S? causing it to release. When select magnet 4S? releases, it opens the operating pato through its contact for relay SRA in the control circuit. As indicated above, the operating path for relay SRA was through the Contact of select magnet 489. The release action of relay SRA in turn releases the polarized relay SPC in the control circuit and also relay 7PA in the v circuit 715%. When relay SRl operated, it opened the original operating path through its Contact 4 for relay SPC, and thereafter when relay SRA releases, it opens at its contact 2 the supplementary operating path so that relay SPC releases. When the latter operating path is open at contact 2 of relay SRA, the position relay FIPA also releases. The original operating path for relay Y l 7 7PA, as described above, is through contact 00 of a gate relay SPG. This relay SPG, as also described above, remains operated as long as any one of the relays 7PA in the circuits 7P0l-09 are operated.

When relay SPC releases, it provides a shunting path from battery SBS to the lower winding of relay SL causing it to release.

When relay TPA in position circuit 7F69 releases, it introduces an impedance into the locking path for relay 3T in the circuit STRIS. This locking path, as described above, for relay 3T is from ground at contact S of relay 7W through contact t1 of relay 7PA in parallel with resistor 7R21, lead 4C() of cable dCA, contact 2 of horizontal level '1 of the cross bar switch, contact 2 of horizontal level 9 of the cross bar switch, lead 3015, diode 3D1, and the upper Winding of relay 3T to battery SBS. When relay 7PA releases, it opens the shunt through its contact 1 across resistor 7R2 thereby introducing an impedance into the locking circuit of the relay 3T and causing it to release. The relay 3S in the trunk circuit STRS, however, remains operated when relay 7 PA removes the shunt across its contact 1 to cause relay 3T to release. When relay 3T releases, it in turn releases the select magnet S1 which was operated, as described above, over a path through contact `3 of relay 3T. When relay 3T releases, it also releases relay STD which operated to indicate that a call was not abandoned and it also releases relay STC. 'The operating path for relay STD, as described above, was through contact `1 of relay 3T and the operating path for relay Sl" C was through contact 4 of relay 3T. When relay 'STC releases, it in turn sequentially causes the release of relay 5TG1 and relay SR1. As described above, the relay SR1 was locked under control of contact 6 of relay 5TG1.

The distributor circuits now are released to the extent whereby other calls may be connected through the system. The condition of the circuits at this point in the connection of the instant call may be summarized as follows. In the position circuit 7PM? only relay 7W is operated; in trunk circuit ST'RlS only relay 3S is operated, and only the hold magnet 4H@ of the cross bar switch is operated to maintain the connection between that said trunk and said position circuit. Circuits are at this point completed whereby the calling party and the operator attending position circuit 7Piltl may converse. Under the present circumstances, supervision over the entire connection, discussed in detail hereinbefore, from the trunk illlS through the trunk circuit TRS arid the crossbar switch to the operator position circuit 7F00 is maintained bythe operator and controlled by the operator release key 7RK. At the completion of whatever conversation may result due to the connection between the calling party and the operator at position circuit 7F94?, key 7RK will be momentarily operated to initiate the release of the connection between trunk ZTKIS and position circuit 7F69. The operation of key 7RK opens the locking paths for relay 7W in position circuit 7F99 and hold magnet 4I-lil of the crossbar switch. The release action of relay 7W in turn opens the locking circuit at its contact S for relay 3S in the trunk circuit STRlS. By virtue of these release actions, the trunk 2'l`K-1S and position circuit 7F00 are disconnected.

Intercept service during unattended perodslf, during a night period or period of light load, an operator does not attend any of the position circuits 7Pe`tl-ti9, an an unattended intercept service may be provided by the operation of key SUN.

The actuation of key SUN transfers control over position circuit 7F00 from the operator telephone circuit to the intercept circuitry of FIG. 8, and discontinues the hereinbefore described intercept services for attended periods which lutilize the announcement equipments 6AN1 and GANZ. Upon the operation of key 8UN, paths are closed for operating relays ltiUNil, SUN?. and 6J. These paths are from ground through contact 1 of key dUN and 18 in parallel to the winding of relays ISUN-1, SUNZ and 6I to negative battery connected to the respective windings of these relays.

tThe operation of relay 8U1N1 opens all of the connections between the position circuit 7PM and the associated operator telephone circuit, and closes connections between circuit 7P6t) and the relay control circuitry of FIG. 8. The latter connections include the connection of leads A1 and A of cable 7A1 from the circuit 7F00 through contacts 3 and 5 of relay lSUNI and contact 1 of relay @UN-3 to ground; `and the connection of the R and T leads, respectively, of cable 7A'1 from the circuit 7PM) through contacts 7 land 9 of relay SUNI, the windings of relay lSU-Ni, and :leads `SATC and `ARC to the equipment SAN.

The operation of relay vSfUNZ opens the operating paths through its contacts 1 to 9, inclusive, for all 7PA relays in circuits 7PM-9. After operators attend the circuits 7PM-9, disconnect equipment in the associated operator telephone circuit, the opening of the above-mentioned operating paths causes all 7PA relays to release. Since the operating pat-h for relay 7PA in circuit 7F00( is not controlled through a contact of relay 8U-N2, the only position then available for connection to an incoming call, after the position gate relay SPG is released, is circuit 7PM; hence, all calls will be directed thereto. The other position circuits cannot thereafter .be made available (by operators connecting operator telephone circuits to the associated position circuit) for handling calls until the SUN key is released, since the operating circuit for the relay 7PA of circuits 7PM-9 remain open under control of relay SUNZ.

The operating circuit for relay 6ST is opened under control of contact .10 of relay SUNZ. in this manner the operation of the equipment 6AN2 yand the associated circuits of relays SRSA and 6B is discontinued.

Upon the operation of relay '61, the circuits controlling the operations of relay `GTP, 6C and 6RS are opened at contacts 2 and 4 of relay `6J, and ground is connected through contact i1 of relay 8UN4 over lead 8A and contacts 1 and 3 in parallel to leads 2A3 and 2A4, respectively, for controlling, as hereinafter described, the operation of the intercept circuits MNM-15.

The automatic answering and message recording equipment SAN shown in the block diagram of FIG. 8 may be similar to the equipment disclosed in Patent 2,761,899, granted September 4, 1956 to C. R. Keith et al. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this is a well known equipment and that the showing thereof in block diagram form is merely for purposes of clarity and understanding of the present invention and that it is not in any way intende-d to be limiting on the scope of this invention. The chief functions of the equipment are to record a message, to check the recorded message, to reproduce and transmit the recorded message to a calling party, and to record and incoming message dictated by the calling party. Since the present invention is concerned particularly with the latter two of the foregoing functions, the following description will present only the details of these functions necessary for an understanding of this invention. `For other details of the equipment, reference should be made to the above-mentioned patent.

The circuits are now prepared to handle lan incoming call. For purposes of illustrating the operation of the system connecting an incoming call from the central oce circuits over one trunk to position circuit 7P0il, it is assumed again that a customer has originated a call through the central oiice to a customer served by the distributor and that the central oice has extended the call to trunk ZTKlS. It is also Vassumed that no other calls are in progress. The sequence of operations, as described above, for extending the connection through the distributor is initiated when ringing current is applied across the tip and ring leads to trunk ZTKI'S and when ground is connected to the tip ilead thereof. 'The operations involved in handling cans during unattended periods are similar to those described before and, therefore, do not require the detailed descrip-tion thereof except at points of dierence. .Brietly, .the sequence of operations is as follows: The application of a ringing signal to trunk 2TK15 operates relay 2R in circuit 2lNl5. Relay 2R thereafter locks operated to ground at contact 1 of relay 2A in the same circuit. Later, when contact 1 of relay 2A is open, relay 2R remains lock operated under control to the ground vconnected to lead 2A4 via contact 3 of relay 6l and contact =1 of relay SUN4. Relay 2R also closes an operating circuit for relay 2A in the circuit ZINlS from ground at contact 1 of relay 8U-N4 over lead SA, contact 1 of relay 6l over lead 2A3, contact -1 of relay 2R, diode `2D and the winding of relay 2A to battery 2B2. The same ground extended -to the Winding of relay 2A is extended over lead 2815 to the winding of relay 3R in the trunk circuit 3TR15 for operating relay 3R. .Since the trunk gate is closed at this time, relay 3S in the circuit 3TR15 and relay `SGC operate as hereinbefore described. The operations that then occur are essentially the same as described above; that is, the circuit 3TR15 operates the gate circuit `and the control circuit functions to check for an abandoned call, to operate the crossbar switch, and to connect the call through to position circuit 7F00. Upon connection of the call on trunk 2TK15 to position circuit 7PM, relay 7W operates in the Way described abo-ve. The control circuit releases and subsequently releases relay 7`P1A `of circuit 7F00, also as described above. The connection of this call to circuit 7PM also extends the ringing signal (which was not tripped early in the connecting sequence) applied to trunk 2TK15 by the central oce `over :leads T and R through the winding of relay SUN4 and leads SATC Iand SARC to the equipment AN. This ringing signal operates relay 8UN4 and relay 8ST in the equipment {5A-N. The operation of relay 8ST starts the operation of the equipment SAN.

The operation of relay SUNK!- opens the above-described locking circuit for relays 2R `and `2A in the circuit 2IN15 causing them to release and return the circuit 21Nl5 to normal with respect to the call on truuk ZTKIS. The oper-ation of relay SUN4 also closes an operating path for relay 8UN3 from ground through contact 2 of relay 8UN4, thermistor 8T and the Winding of relay 8UN3 to battery SBI. The thermistor 8T maintains the current through the Winding of relay SUNS below its operating value until, as hereinafter described, the announcement equipment SA-N starts operation and trips the ringing signal at the central office. Subsequent to the application of the ringing signal to leads `SATC and SARC and to the operation of relay 8ST, the equipment SAN initiates operations for bridging the trunk line 2TI15 and for transmitting an announcement over said trunk. iI'he bridging operation (not shown) consists of connecting a low impedance across the tip and ring leads of the trunk. As soon as -the trunk 2TK1I5 is bridged, the ringing tripped relay (not shown) in the central ofce operates, for cutting off ringing current and -for connecting ground and battery over the tip and ring leads ZTlS and 2R15 of trunk .2TK15. The latter potentials are for talking and for holding relay 8UN4 operated. The holding circuit is from battery and ground at the central oce through the switch connections and the windings of relay 8UN4 [t a continuous path (not shown in detail) within equipment SAN. lIn response to the ringing signal, a recording EHA mechanism and an amplifier circuit (not shown) withinV the equipment SAN transmits an announcement to the calling par-ty lover leads SATC and SARC through the windings in parallel of relay 8UN4, contacts 7 and 9 of relay 'SUNL contacts of the crossbar `switch over leads 3T15 and 3R15, and the tip and ring leads of trunk ZTKlS, This announcement may relate to messages such as, for example: This is a recorded announcement. The calling party X is not available at this time. You

2Q may dictate a message after the following 'tone or you may call again weekdays between the hours of 8 AM. and 5 RM. delay, records the message if one is given and then releases in the manner prescribed in the aforementioned Patent 2,761,899.

In the meantime, relay 8UN3 operates and opens a path holding relay '7W in circuit 7F09 locked operated; however, as described presently, relay 7W therein does not release. The instant path extends from ground through contact il of relay SUNB, contact 3 `of relay UNl over lead A1 of cable 7A1, Contact 3 of relay 71W, and the Winding relay 7W to battery 7B6. Relay 7W is held operated by a path which shunts contact `1 of relay SUNS to ground. The latter path extends from ground to contact 2 through relay SUN4 and diode 8D.

Relay 3UN4 releases when the equipment SAN opens its holding circuit, described hereinbefore, Iat the end of the interval set aside for receiving and recording the talk-in message. 'Relay 8UN4 thereupon opens a locking circuit for relay 7W in the circuit 7F00 which in turn releases and, as described above, initiates the release of the trunk circuit 3TR15 Iand the crossbar switch. The release of relay 8UN4 also opens the operating circuit for relay SUNS; however, relay SUNS, being a slow release relay, does not release until after the release of relay '7W in the circuit 7PM). Provided no other calls are awaiting service at this time, the circuits are sequentially restored to the conditions assumed initially. If other cls are then connected `to one of the trunk-s 2TK60-'15, the circuit operations involved in connecting these calls to circuit 7P`t0 are essentially the same as described above.

It is to be understood that ythe above-described arrangements lare illustrative of the application of the principles of this invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Por example, one such intercept service may utilize announcement equipment and control circuitry Which intercepts, or answers, a `call automatically with an announcement, then solicits a message from the caller and, after this message is received and recorded, routes the call tto either an operator for service or, if the caller does not desire a connection to the operator and the call is abandoned, to automatic disconnect as described hereinbefore. This service would further reduce operator etiort and the holding time of switching equipment. The utilization of such automatic facilities in `semi-automatic telephone systems as call distributors, private branch exchanges, and the like, is a salient aspect of the invention. Therefore, it is evident that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a telephone system, a plurality of telephone lines, means for seizing said lines to extend calls thereto, a plurality of operator position circuits, switching means for connecting 'any one :of said lines to any one of said circuits, means operable upon =the seizure of any `one of said lines -for intercepting a call extended to the seized line, announcement equipment activated by said intercepting means for transmitting a recorded message -to the seized line, means controlled by said equipment for activating said switching means to connect said seized line to one of said circuits, and means for conditioning said intercepting means -to activate said switching means immediately upon fthe seizure of said seized line to connect said seized line directly -to one of said circuits.

'2. In a telephone system in accordance With claim l the combination further comprising means for conditioning said intercepting means to cancel the activation o-f said announcement equipment and the transmission of a recorded message to said seized line.

3. ln a telephone system, a plurality of telephone lines, means for seizing said lines to extend calls thereto, a

plurality of position circuits normally attended by oper- The equipment SAN, after an appropriatek ators, a switching arrangement for connecting any one of said lines to any one lof said position circuits, announcement equipment, intercept means associated with said lines and 'operable upon the seizure of :any one of said lines for intercepting a call extended to the seized line, means for connecting said seized line to said announcement equipment, means in said equipment operable during the connection of said seized line to said equipment to transmit a recorded message to said seized line, control means eiective at the end of :the Itransmission of said message to operate said switch arrangement to connect said seized line to va position circuit, special intercept means energizable for intercepting calls on lines connected `to one of said position circuits, means for automatically answering calls intercepted by said special intercept means with a recorded announcement, and means for thereafter recording messages received over said lines.

4. The invention claimed in claim 3 wherein said special intercept means comprises selectively operable means for controlling said intercept means associated with said lines to effect the operation of said switch arrangement to connect seized lines directly to -a position circuit and means for cancelling the connection of said lines to said announcement equipment.

5. The invention claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality 'of position circuits comprise a first, intermediate and last position circuit, and wherein said special intercept means comprises means effective to control the availability of said rst, intermediate and last position circuits for service.

6. The invention claimed in claim 5 wherein said special intercept means comprises means for :only intercepting calls on lines connected to said rst position circuit, and wherein said availability control means comprises means for permitting only said iirst position circuit to be available for service.

7. In a telephone system, a call distributor, a plurality of telephone lines incoming to said distributor, means for applying la calling signal to any one of said lines for extending calls to said lines, announcement equipment having a start condition and operative to advance from said start condition to transmit a )recorded message to call-ing lines, means responsive to the application of a calling signal to any one of said lines for `operating said equipmentto effect the transmission of said message to the calling lines, restoral means including means for causing said equipment to assume said start condition subsequent to the end of said message and means for supplying an electrical condition signifying the end of said message, a plurality of of attendant position circuits, and means responsive to said condition for `operating said distributor fto establish connections from said calling line to one of said circuits.

8. In a switching system, `a plurality of lines, a plurality of operator positions, switch means selectively operable for connecting 'any one of said lines to any one of said positions during periods when said .positions are attended by operators, automatic `answering yand message recording equipment, means for connecting said equipment to one of said positions during periods when said positions are unattended, means for extending calls to said lines and for applying calling signals thereto, means controllable by said connecting means and responsive to a `calling signal on any one of said lines for 'operating said switch means to eEect the connection of said signaled line only to said one position yand said equipment dur-ing said unattended periods, and said equipment including means responsive to a calling signal on the connected line for automatically answering the call extended to said line with a recorded announcement fand means for thereafter recording a message received over said line.

9. In a telephone system, a plurality of trunks for serving telephone calls, a plurality of operator position circuits, a switch arrangement for connecting said trunks to said operator position circuits, announcement equipment, means for applying signaling currents to said trunks to control 4the establishment of connections from said signaled trunks to said .announcement equipment and from said signaled trunks to said operator position circuits, a plurality of intercept circuits, each of said intercept circuits associated witlr one of said trunks, a control circuit effective `to control said intercept circuits to establish connections between said trunks and said announcement equipment, intercept means in each of said intercept circuits ioperlattive under control of signaling current on said associated trunk for operating said control circuit to effect the establishment yof connections `between said signaled trunk and said announcement equipment, means in said control circuit for activating said equipment to transmit a recorded message to said signaled trunk, and means eiiective fat the end of a single transmission of said message to operate said switch `arrangement to connect said signaled n'unk to an operator position circuit, said control circuit comprising means for `conditioning said intercept means to yoperate said switch arrangement immediately after the )application of signaling current to said signaled ftrunk and means for controlling said intercept means to cancel Ia connection of said signaled trunk to said equipment upon the application of signaling current to said signaled trunk.

10. In a telephone system, a plumality of trunks for serving telephone calls, a plurality of operator position circuits, a switching 'arrangement for connecting said trunks to said circuits, announcement equipment, means for applying signaling currents to said trunks to control the establishment `of connections from said signaled trunks tc said equipment and trom said signaled trunks to said circuits, a plurality of intercept circuits, each lof said intercept circuits associated with one `of `said trunks, a control circuit effective to control said intercept circuits to establish connections `between said trunks and said equipment, intercept means fin each lof said intercept circuits operative under control of signaling current :on said associated trunk for operating said control circuit to effect the establishment of connections between said signaled trunk and said equipment, said intercept means comprising receiving means and 'auxiliary means for connecting said signaling current `on said `associated trunk to said receiving means to operate said receiving means, said control circuit cornpr'sing means for operating said auxiliary means subsequent Vto Ithe operation of said receiving means to effect the transfer of said signaling current from said receiving means to said control circuit, means effective to operate said signming current applying means to control the disconnection of said signaling current from said signaled trunk and means for connecting said signaled trunk to said equipment, means in said equipment operable during the connection of said signaled trunk to said equipment to transmit a recorded message `to said signaled trunk, and means effective Iat the end of a single transmission of said message to operate said arrangement to connect said signaled trunk to one of said position circuits.

l1. The invention claimed in claim 1G wherein special means is provided in said control circuit for controlling the operation :of said announcement equipment, wherein said 'announcement equipment has a start condition and is operative under control of said special means to advance from said start condition to transmit said recorded message to said signaled trunk, wherein restoral means is provided in said announcement equipment for causing said equipment to assume said start condition subsequent fto the end of said message and for supplying an electrical condition signifying the .end of said message, and wherein said control circuit includes means responsive to said electrical conditi-on lirom said restoral means for controlling the disconnection of said signaled trunk from said announcement equipment.

12. A distributing system comprising a `central oiiice, a call distributor, a plurality of trunks each extending from said central oiice to said call distributor, and means at said central office for extending calls to said trunks and for applying signaling currents to said trunks, said call distributor including a plurality of position circuits normally lattended by operators; a crossbar switch having a'rst and 1a second group of horizontal conductors and a plurality lof vertical conductors which form a number of links between said iirst and second groups of horizontm conductors, each of said first -group of horizontal conductors connected to two of said trunks, each of said second group of horizontal conductors connected to one of said position circuits; la trunk circuit for each of said trunks; an intercept circuit associated with each trunk and each trunk circuit, means in each lof said intercept circuits for responding -to signaling current `on said associated trunk and for interoepting a call extended thereto; announcement equipment; a special control circuit operable under control of said responding means to connect a signaled trunk to said announcement equipment; said lannouncement equipment including means operable during the connection of a signaled trunk -to transmit a recorded message to said signaled trunk; means included in said special control circuit effective lat the end of a single transmission of said message to operate said trunk circuit associated with a signaled trunk; and means controlled by said operated trunk circuit for operating said crossbar switch to connect said signaled trunk to one of said position circuits.

13. A distributing system comprising a central office, a call distributor, a plurality of trunks each extending from said 'oliice to said distributor, and means at said office rfor extending calls to said trunks and for applying signaling currents to said trunks, said distributor including iirst, intermediate and last operator position circuits, a

crossbar switch having iirst and second groups of horizontal conductors and a plurality `of vertical conductors forming a number of links between said iirst and second groups of horizontal conductors, each of said first group of horizontal conductors connected rto two `of said trunks, each of said second group of horizontal conductors connected to one of said circuits, a trunk circuit for each of said trunks, an intercept circuit associated with each trunk and each trunk circuit, means in each of said intercept circuits for responding to signaling current on said associated trunk to intercept a call extended thereto, announcement equipment, a special control circuit operable under control of said responding means to connect a sig- `naled trunk to said equipment, said equipment including means operable during the connection of said signaled trunk to transmit la recorded message to said signaled trunk, means included in said special control circuit effective at the end of a single transmission of said message to operate said trunk circuit associated with a signaled trunk, means controlled by said operated trunk circuit for operating said crossbar switch to connect said signaled trunk to one of said position circuits, answering and recording equipment, a special intercept circuit, selectively operable means for lassociating said lanswering and recording equipment and said special intercept circuit with said irst position circuit, control means in said special intercept circuit operable under control of said 'associating means to con- Itrol said special control circuit, said position circuits, said intercept circuits and 4trunk circuits to effect the operation of said crossbar switch to establish connections from a `signaled trunk to said answering and recording equipment without iirst connecting said signaled trunk to said announcement equipment, and means in said answering and recording equipment responsive to signaling current on a connected for automatically answering the call extended to said trunk and for thereafter recording a message received `over said trunk.

14. The invention claimed in claim 13 wherein said control means in said special intercept circuit includes first circuit means for preventing the operation of said special control circuit while said answering and recording equipment is associated with said one position circuit,

second circuit means for rendering said intermediate and last position circuits unavailable for service, and third circuit means for controlling the holding of an established connection from la signaled trunk to said answering and recording equipment and for controlling the disengagement of said established connection.

l5. In a switching system, a plurality of communicaltion lines, means for applying a calling signal to any one of said lines to extend calls thereto, announcement equipment, `a line circuit associated with each of said lines and operated by a calling signal :on said associated line for connecting the calling line to said equipment to receive a recorded announcement, a plurality of operator positions, switch means operated by said equipment at the end of said announcement for connecting said calling line to any lof said positions, an answering and recording device associated with one of said positions, rand means for selectively controlling the `operation of said switch means to connect said calling line to :said one position and said device for answering the call extended -to said line and thereafter recording a message received over said line.

16. rIn a telephone system, a plurality of telephone lines, means for applying a calling signal to any one of said lines to extend calls thereto, announcement equipment, a line circuit responsive to a calling signal on any one of said lines for connecting the calling line to said equipment, means operable during the connection of Said calling line to said equipment `for communicating a tirst message to said calling line, an announcement device, means activated by said equipment at the end of said message communication or connecting said calling line to said device, means operable during the connection of said calling line to said device `for communicating a second message to said calling line, a plurality of operator position circuits, switching means, and means controllable by said equipment for activating said switching means to connect said calling line to one of said circuits.

l7. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 16 the combination wherein said announcement equipment has a start condition rand is operative to advance from said condition to transmit said rst message to a calling line, and further comprising means responsive to a calling signal on said calling line for operating said announcement equipment to eiect the transmission of said first message to said calling line.

18. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 17 the combination wherein said announcement device has a start condition and is operative to advance from said start condition to supply said second message, and further comprising means operating said device at the end of the transmission of said first message, and means activated by said device for applying the supplied second message to said calling line.

19. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 18 the combination further comprising means for automatically answering calls extended to one of said operator position circuits and thereafter recording messages received over said lines.

20. In a telephone system in accordance with claim 19 the combination `further comprising means for conditioning said activating means -to activate said switching means immediately upon the receipt of a calling signal on said calling line to connect said calling line to one of said position circuits.

2l. In Ia telephone system in accordance with yclaim 20 the combination further comprising means for conditioning said line circuit to cancel the connection of said calling line to said announcement equipment and said announcernent device.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,520,130 Deakin Aug. 29, 1950 (()tlrer references on foilowing page)